Bobbin handling arrangement



R. M. lNGHAM, JR

BOBBING HANDLING ARRANGEMENT Original Filed Oct. 13, 1958 Nov. 17, 1964SOURCE F M E O T v .INVENTOR. ROBERT M.INGHAM,JR

SOURCE F M E o T Nov. 17, 1964 R. M. lNGHAM, JR 3,157,299

BOBBING HANDLING ARRANGEMENT Original Filed Oct. 13, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTOR.

ROBERT M.INGHAM,J R.

W ATTO NEY Nov. 17, 1964 R. M. INGHAM, JR

BOBBING HANDLING ARRANGEMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Oct. 13,1958 TO EMF T SOURCE 73 7 7 INVENTOR- ROBERT M. |NGHAM,JR. W d

ATT RNEY United States Patent 3,157,299 BQBBW HANDLING ARRANGEMENTRobert M. Ingham, in, Spartanburg, S.C., assignor to Deering MiililrenResearch Corporation, Spartanburg, 8.6., a corporation of DelawareGriginal application Oct. 13, E53, Ser. No. 757,913, new Patent No.3,0823%, dated Mar. 26, E63. Divided and this application Nov. 28, 1961,Ser. No. 155,357

2 Claims. (U. 214-44) This is a divisional application of my copendingapplication, Serial Number 767,013, filed October 13, 1958, now PatentNo. 3,082,908.

This invention relates to a bobbin serving arrangement.

One embodiment of the invention takes the form of a bobbin carrying boxpreferably formed as a cart having provision for serving individualbobbins to a use station, which preferably may be in the form of abobbin loading station. According to the present invention, positioningof a movable dofif cart relative to a bobbin use station, and thesupplying of power to the doff cart for dual type operation thereof,such as preferably air operation and electrical operation thereof, iseffected by providing combination rigid dual function connections,preferably spaced apart rigid air and electrical connections, on thedoll cart for interengagement with complementary similar connections atthe use station. Thus, the dofl cart is both accurately positioned andplaced in power readiness for operation by the simple expedient ofremovably coupling the rigid air and electrical connections together atthe use station. I

A physical embodiment constructed in accordance with the invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein FIGURE 1 is a partialfront perspective view of an embodiment of the invention as employed inconjunction with a bobbin dofiing and donning arrangement for a spinningframe.

FIGURE 2 is a partial rear perspective view of a portion of thearrangement of FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 3-5 are plan, side and rear views respectively of the doff cartof FIGURE 1, FIGURE 3 being partially cut away for ease of illustration.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary View of the bobbin ejecting portionof the doll? cart of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a schematic illustration of a control circuit employed inthe illustrated embodiment.

Referring now in detail to the figures of the drawings, an inclinedbobbin-holding box 11 having a movable fiat false bottom 13 is fixedlysecured to a portable wheeled truck base 15. The doff box 11 is inclinedto the horizontal in this embodiment in order that the top layer ofbobbins thereon may suitably move under the influence of gravity down aninclined chute 17 connected between the top of the doll box per se andan intermittently actuated discharge and seating plunger arrangement 19including an air cylinder 1% and a movable piston plunger 1% fordischarging the bobbins individually from the chute l7 and suitablyseating them on a belt 21 or other suitable receiver which in theinstant embodiment is disposed along the front of -a spinning framegenerally indicated at F, and adapted for transfer of bobbins B be tweenthe belt 21 and frame F as by hand or other suitable means such as abobbin transfer device such as a carrier generally indicated at C andhaving a plurality of bobbin graspers G thereon.

The dofiing box arrangement is particularly adapted for handling of warpbobbins B or other bobbins having a large diameter at one end B, and asmaller diameter at the other end B As will be apparent, the lowering ofbobbins of this differential diameter nature into a box with all oftheir butt ends B directed in the same direc- 7 3,1512% Patented Nov.17, 1964 tion'poses a problem, particularly if one desires to maintainthe top layer of the bobbins horizontally or aligned with some otherdesired plane at all times, and more specifically if one is to raiseeach layer of bobbins in the box to a horizontal or other desired planeat a specific level for discharge therefrom. The unique solution of thisproblem is an important feature of this invention. In the illustratedembodiment the movable bottom 13 is suitably carried by nut followers 23on cross bars or shafts 22,2242 connecting respectively between eachpair of followers 23 on two sets of positively actuated lead screws 25a,25!; each inclined in the same direction as the upwardly extending sidesof the dofl box 11. The bottom 13 may be pivotally connected to one ofthe shafts 22, 22a and loosely resting on the other shaft, or may beloosely resting on both shafts if desired. Each of the pair of screws25a connected to the end of the box bottom on which the large ends ofthe bobbins are disposed is similar in pitch, as is the pitch of the twolead screws 25b, the screws 23b having a larger pit'ch than the pair ofscrews 25b supporting the end of the box bottom at.

which the small ends of the bobbin lie.

In the lowermost position of the movable bottom 13 the angle ofinclination of the upper surface of the movable bottom is such as todispose the bottom surface of the top layer of bobbins B in the dotf boxparallel with the immediately adjacent bottom surface 1% of the conveyorchute 17 connected thereto. Also, the relative pitch of the two sets ofscrews 25a, 25b is such that the driving of the screws are at the samespeed, as by a reversible motor M mounted on the supporting base andsuitably connected as by a belt and chain drive 29, 31 in drivingrelation to the screws 25a and 2512, causes the two ends of the movablefalse bottom to be moved at a diiferential rate such as to present thebottom of each succeeding top layer of bobbins in parallel relation tothe adjacent bottom'l'irz of the conveyor chute 17. Alternatively, thepitch of the two sets of screws may be identical and the drive theretoarranged to drive one set 25a at a faster rotary rate than the other set25b. It will thus be apparcut that the rate of upward travel of thelower end 13a of the movable bottom 13 will be greater than the rate oftravel of the upper end 13!) of the movable bottom. The position of themovable bottom 13 is shown in FIG- URE 3 at its lowermost position infull lines and in an intermediate upper position in dotted lines, ineach case the supported surface of the bobbins in the upper layer beingparallel to bottom of the adjacent inclined conveyor chute 17.

In order to afford semi-automation to the movable bottom 13 once thedrive motor M is actuated to move the bottom upwardly, a suitable limitswitch 33- in the form of a micro-switch or the like may be disposedadjacent the upper end of travel of the movable bottom, which switch isin controlling relation to the drivemotor, and a further limit switch 35may be disposed adjacent the lower end of travel of the movable bottomfor actuation by the bottom or by a protuberance on or adjacent thebottom, this switch also being in controlling relation to the motor.Also, a pivoted top overflow guard plate 36 is provided to prevent theoverflow of bobbins at the rear of the box 1.1 as the bottom 13 is movedprogressively upward and bobbins are fed from the box onto the chute.

. A further normally closed control switch 37 is disposed in thedischarge path of bobbins from the dofi box 11. In the instantembodiment this switch 37 has an actuating finger 39 spring-biasedupwardly and protruding through the chute surface 17a disposed adjacentthe discharge edge of the doff box 11.

When the finger 39 is pressed down by the weight of a bobbin or bobbinsB thereon the switch 37 is opened, thereby breaking the raise circuit tothe motor M,

whereas when the finger 3? is in its normal spring biased raisedposition with no bobbins lying thereon the switch 37 is closed and themotor M may be started and will continue to run while the motor raisecircuit is closed, this action continuing until either of switches 33 or37 is opened. It will be seen that in the open position of switch 37(down position of finger 39) the upper layer of bobbins in the box isdisposed in alignment with the top surface 17a of the immediatelyadjacent bottom of the chute 17, and the bobbins in this layer will thusslide or roll down toward the lower end of the chute 17 for dischargetherefrom.

In passing down the inclined chute 17 the bobbins pass beneath the lowerend 45a of a pivoted kicker door or plate 45 and down to the lower endof the chute 17 where they are individually ejected by intermittentaction of solenoid-controlled air-driven plunger 1% disposed at onelateral side of the lower end of the chute. The opposite side wall ofthe lower end of the chute is open to form a discharge opening 43 andpermits a bobbin to be discharged butt-end B first onto a suitablereceiving device such as belt 21 or the like which may advantageouslyhave a plurality of bobbin receiving and holding members 22 disposed inspaced apart relation thereon.

In order to permit the accumulation of a suitable reservoir of bobbinsin the chute 17 while providing for adequate movement of the bobbins tothe discharge device the kicker 45 is suitably pivotally mounted asindicated at 49 and extends downwardly between the side walls 51 of thechute, its lower end 45a being disposed above the adjacent bottom of thechute by a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the large endB, of the bobbins. The kicker 45 is intermittently sharply movedrearwardly toward any bobbins laying thereagainst, in order to free thelower layer or" bobbins from the holding action of any upper layer ofbobbins lying thereon and permit the bobbins in the lower layer toproceed downwardly in the normal course along t..e bottom of the chute1'7 and beneath the lower end 39a of the kicker. To this end an aircylinder 53 having a piston plunger 53a suitably mounted adjacent theopposite face of the kicker 45 and is intermittently actuated to pivotthe door rearwardly. A return spring 55 is suitably connected betweenthis opposite face of the kicker and a part of the chute wall structurefor insuring return of the door to its quiescent position in contactwith or closely adjacent the plunger 53a. Formed adjacent the chutesurface 17a is a step having an anti-reverse shoulder stop 41 forpreventing the bottom layer of bobbins on the chute 17 from being kickedback into the box 11 by the kicking action of the kicker plate 45.

Operation of the two air driven plungers 19b and 530 may be achieved bya suitable control switch 54 con-' nected in controlling relation to asolenoid valve 56 which controls the air supply to each of the airdriven plungers, the control switch being in turn intermittentlyactuated as by the intermittently recurring striking of an actuatingfinger 54a thereof by a moving cam device which may suitably take theform of a plurality of suitably positioned lugs, detents or the like 57disposed on the bobbin receiving belt 21 moving adjacent the dischargeOpening 43 for the bobbins and adapted to sequentially contact thecontrol switch finger for discharge and seating of a bobbin onto arespective bobbin holder 22 during movetent of the belt 21 past thefinger. The intercoupled action of the kicker 45 and discharge plunger19 is most advantageous, and is preferred; however, if desired, thepivoted kicker 45 may be periodically or otherwise intermittentlyactuated without control by the control switch 54 for the bobbindischarge plunger 19.

In FIGURE 7 is shown an illustrative simplified schematic diagram of thecontrol arrangement of the illustrated embodiment of the apparatus inaccordance with the invention. As seen in this figure a main startswitch 61 controls the supply of to both the motor M 4- which drives thebottom-moving screws 25a, 25b and to the solenoid valve 56 forcontrolling the air pressure from the pressure source P to the two aircylinders 19 and 53. The solenoid valve control switch 54 actuated bymovement of the cam lugs 57 on the belt 21 is in series relation withthe solenoid valve 56 and is normally spring biased open, this normallyopen position resulting in the solenoid valve 56 being closed whereby noair pressure is supplied to the two air cylinders 19a and 53. Closing ofthe switch 54 in response to contact of the cam lugs 57 on the belt withthe switch control finger 5401 causes opening of the solenoid valve 56to thereupon connect the air pressure supply to the air cylinders, thepiston plungers of which move the depending kicker plate 45 and thebobbin B lying in the chute adjacent the discharge opening 43.

Through the medium of a motor reverse switch generally indicated at 63the motor M may be driven in either selected direction to selectivelyraise or lower the movable false bottom 13 of the dofl. box 11 byselective rotation of the screws in either direction. The lower limitswitch 35 is disposed in series with the reverse contacts or" the motorreverse switch, whereas the upper limit switch 33 and the chute switch37 are disposed each in series with the forward contacts of switch 63for the motor M. While this circuit is shown in simplified form, this isdone only by way of illustration and it will be apparent that inpractice various modifications thereof may be desirable for a particularembodiment.

In order to aid in the proper positioning of the movable dotf cart 11,15 relative to the belt 21 or other receiving device, and also in orderto simplify the supply of air pressure and electrical power to the dollcart for operation thereof rather than including such supply on the dot?cart per se, the dofi cart is provided with two rigid hollow horizontalconduits 65, 67 one of which is an air conduit 65 and the other of whichis an electrical conduit 67. The air conduit 65 has a suitable male orfemale coupling connector 69 at its outer end and is in air supplyconnection to the two air cylinders 19a and 53. The other conduit 67encloses suitable electrical connecting lines between a connector '73 atits outer end and the electrical circuitry to the various electricalcontrol elements of the dolf cart. Disposed in suitable fixed relationon the floor or other fixed support adjacent the belt are a pair ofrigid conduits 75, 79 having corresponding coupling connectors 77, 81 atthe same height as and for engagement by the respective electrical andair pressure connectors 73, 69 disposed on the ends of the conduits 6'7,65 of the doff cart.

The two fixed connectors 77, 81 are connected in any suitable manner toa source of and a source of air pressure P for supply to the doff cartupon the conmeeting of the corresponding dolf cart connectors 69, 73 andthe fixed connectors 77, 81 together. As stated above, the connectorsserve a dual purpose, serving in addition to the supply of air pressureand E.M.F. to the deli cart the further function of locating the doficart in the proper position relative to the bobbin receiving belt at theloading station. This may be readily accomplished through the medium ofthe present apparatus by locating the fixed electrical and supplypressure conduits 75, 79 and their respective connectors at a suitableposition on the floor or other fixed support at the loading station sothat the discharge and seating plunger 1% and the switch actuatingfinger 54a will be properly located relative to the belt 21 and itsreceiving members 22 and switch actuating lugs 57.

While a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed herein it will readily be apparent that many modifications andimprovements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. It is therefore to be understood that the invention isnot to be limited by the illustrated embodiment but only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

,1. 1'3 That which is claimed is:

1. A bobbin serving device comprising a movable bobbin holding carthaving a pneumatic use and an electrical use device thereon, a fixedloading station having a bobbin receiver thereat, a first dual purposerigid pneumatic conduit and coupling in fixed position on said cart, asecond dual purpose rigid pneumatic conduit and coupling mounted infixed relation at said loading station, a first rigid electrical conduitand coupling on said cart in fixed spaced apart relation from said firstpneumatic conduit and coupling, a second rigid electrical conduit andcoupling mounted in fixed relation at said loading station and spacedfrom said second rigid pneumatic conduit, the respective parts of saidcouplings being complementary and at substantially the same height andspacing for direct fitting together in intercoupled relation to bothpositively removably position said cart in a predetermined positiverelation to said bobbin receiver and to provide electrical and pneumaticconnections between said loading station and said cart.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said pneumatic use device is abobbin moving device including a pneumatically actuated piston, and saidelectrical use device is a solenoid valve operably associated with saidpneumatic conduits to control the pneumatic pressure to said piston.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,382,328 Stone June 21, 1921 2,119,460 Gurton et a1. May 31, 19382,849,129 Likens Aug. 26, 1958 3,036,722 Sharaway May 29, 1962 3,075,659Sylvester et a1 Jan. 29, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 27,270 Sweden Sept. 9,1908

1. A BOBBIN SERVING DEVICE COMPRISING A MOVABLE BOBBIN HOLDING CARTHAVING A PNEUMATIC USE AND AN ELECTRICAL USE DEVICE THEREON, A FIXEDLOADING STATION HAVING A BOBBIN RECEIVER THEREAT, A FIRST DUAL PURPOSERIGID PNEUMATIC CONDUIT AND COUPLING IN FIXED POSITION ON SAID CART, ASECOND DUAL PURPOSE RIGID PNEUMATIC CONDUIT AND COUPLING MOUNTED INFIXED RELATION AT SAID LOADING STATION, A FIRST RIGID ELECTRICAL CONDUITAND COUPLING ON SAID CART IN FIXED SPACED APART RELATION FROM SAID FIRSTPNEUMATIC CONDUIT AND COUPLING, A SECOND RIGID ELECTRICAL CONDUIT ANDCOUPLING MOUNTED IN FIXED RELATION AT SAID LOADING STATION AND SPACEDFROM SAID SECOND RIGID PNEUMATIC CONDUIT, THE RESPECTIVE PARTS OF SAIDCOUPLINGS BEING COMPLEMENTARY AND AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME HEIGHT ANDSPACING FOR DIRECT FITTING TOGETHER IN INTERCOUPLED RELATION TO BOTHPOSITIVELY REMOVABLY POSITION SAID CART IN A PREDETERMINED POSITIVERELATION TO SAID BOBBIN RECEIVER AND TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL AND PNEUMATICCONNECTIONS BETWEEN SAID LOADING STATION AND SAID CART.